Academic and Career Preparation Resources

ASVAB Career Exploration Program (CEP)

The ASVAB Career Exploration Program is designed to empower students nationwide to discover their strengths and interests then maps out plans for post-secondary education. The website and program include aptitude testing, an interest self-assessment and other career exploration tools.

Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)

The ASVAB is a multiple-aptitude battery that measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success in the military. While the exam is primarily known for its use as a multi-aptitude test in determining eligibility for military enlistment and specific military occupational specialties, the exam also measures proficiency in the areas of English, science, and mathematics. Scored results provide an analysis of how each student’s performance compares with their peers. The test covers areas of knowledge which are not included on the ACT or SAT exams, such as electronics, automobile technology, shop practices, mechanical comprehension, and the assembly of objects. It is administered annually to more than one million military applicants, high school, and post-secondary students.

Careers in the Military Website

At www.careersinthemilitary.com students may participate in guided career exploration of the many jobs they can pursue in the military. Those participating in the ASVAB and ASVAB CEP may create an account to have their scores used to identify within each branch of service the specific occupational specialties they might be able to qualify for in the military. The website also features profiles of soldiers, information about pay and benefits.

Review eligibility criteria for joining each branch of military service

College Foundation of West Virginia

The College Foundation of West Virginia site provides easy to follow guidance on how to plan for your future, seek financial aid and enter college or career training(s). Explore careers, build a resume and find jobs using CFWV.com.

March2Success

March2Success is a free, online and self-paced academic readiness program, designed to provide high school and college students easy access to test preparation training. Specifically, the interactive program offers instruction in math, science and English, with trainings for the SAT, ACT and the ASVAB. Students are provided coursework that is designed to prepare them for college entrance exams, including seven full-length timed practice tests for the SAT and ACT. Educators may access a free curriculum and resources that can supplement lesson plans. The program provides an option which may allow educators to track student progress and performance online. More than 1.7 million people have used the program since its inception in 2003 and potentially many others can benefit from using this online resource in the future.

eCYBERMISSION

A web-based STEM competition administered by the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) and sponsored by the U.S. Army Educational Outreach Program is available to students in grades 6-9. The activities are described as conducted virtually with the goals of promoting teamwork and self-discovery through the real-life applications of math, science, engineering, and technology. Mini-Grants are being made available to qualifying teams and school districts. For complete details, please visit www.ecybermission.com.

U.S. Selective Service System

According to the U.S. Selective Service System website at www.sss.gov, “The law says that all 18-year-old men (including U.S. citizens living abroad and non-citizen immigrant males 18-25 residing in the U.S.) must register for Selective Service. The only young men exempt from registration are non-citizen males who are in the U.S. temporarily as tourists, diplomats and their family members or foreign exchange students; incarcerated or institutionalized men; men on active duty in the Armed Forces; and students at U.S. military academies. If a young man doesn’t register by his 26th birthday, he loses eligibility for student loans and grants, federally funded job training programs, and many government jobs. In some states, he may be unable to renew his driver’s license. And for immigrants seeking to become citizens, failing to register will delay the naturalization process.” To review basic requirements and facts about Selective Service, access the, “What you need to know about Registering with Selective Service” handout on the U.S. Selective Service System website.

Veterans of Foreign Wars

Veterans of Foreign Wars logo

The VFW offers youth essay contests and scholarship opportunities for students (including the Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen programs) and provides awards for elementary, middle, and high school teachers as part of the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher program. To learn how you can apply for these opportunities or nominate a teacher for a VFW award, visit https://www.vfw.org/.

Student Leadership Opportunities

Air Force

Civil Air Patrol

Civil Air Patrol (CAP), the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with more than 61,000 members nationwide, operating a fleet of 550 aircraft. Civil Air Patrol, in its Air Force auxiliary role, performs 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) and was credited by the AFRCC with saving 54 lives in fiscal year 2011. Its volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to nearly 27,000 young people currently participating in the Civil Air Patrol cadet program, including approximately 200 in West Virginia.

To locate a nearby squadron, visit http://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/ and search in the upright corner of the website.

Future Leaders Program

Future Leaders Program Logo

This program is described by the West Virginia National Guard as a four-year leadership-based high school curriculum instilling leadership, promoting citizenship, military science, and teaching life skills. FLP uses a hybrid academic/career technical education (CTE) delivery format.  FLP is a completer program and students receive one credit for this elective per school year.  Lesson plans fall under one of four broad categories: leadership, citizenship, life skills, and military science. The curriculum allows schools to offer the FLP as a one year or multi-year program and is advertised as a low-cost alternative to JROTC and the National Defense Corps of Cadets programs.

To learn more about the Future Leaders Program, visit the WVNG website  Future Leaders Program (ng.mil), or the WV Future Leaders Program | Charleston WV | Facebook,  or contact State Director of the Future Leaders Program, Ms. Deborah Patterson, at dmpatte1@gmail.com or 304-732-6262, ext. 2014.

Marines

Young Marines

The Young Marines at www.youngmarines.com is a youth education and service program for boys and girls, ages 8 through completion of high school. The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral and physical development of its members. The program focuses on character building, leadership, and promotes a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. The Young Marines is the focal point for the U.S. Marine Corps’ Youth Drug Demand Reduction efforts.

Mountaineer Challenge Academy

Mountaineer Challenge Academy Logo

This residential program for qualifying students falls under the National Guard’s youth challenge program. The mission of the Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy is described on their website as training and mentoring selected at-risk youth to become contributing members of society using the 8 Core Components in a quasi-military environment during a 22-week residential and one-year Post-Residential follow-up program. High School Diplomas are made available through the program for those who qualify under the Option 1 Pathway. 

For information on how to participate, please contact one of the program’s facilities in Kingwood, WV or Montgomery, WV, or contact the State Director of the Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy, Mr. Phillip Cantrell at phillip.r.cantrell.nfg@army.mil

National Guard

West Virginia Youth Leaders Camp

The West Virginia National Guard’s Youth Leaders Camp (YLC) is an unparalleled leadership opportunity proven to be physically demanding, mentally challenging and rewarding.

YLC is designed for 15- to 18-year-old students entering their junior or senior year of high school. These students have expressed a desire to be a leader in their school and community. YLC enables youth leaders to build confidence, team building skills, integrity and the ability to motivate and influence others.

Safe and Supportive School Resources

Prevent Suicide WV

Prevent Suicide WV is a collaborative program resulting from the consolidation of the West Virginia Council for the Prevention of Suicide (WVCPS) program component and the Adolescent Suicide Prevention and Early Intervention (ASPEN) project and the statewide suicide prevention program for West Virginia, working to ensure that we don’t lose our fellow West Virginians to suicide.

Safe Schools Helpline

The safe schools helpline at 1-866-723-3982 (1-866-SAFEWVA) is a 24-hour, toll-free number assigned to all West Virginia schools and allowing anyone to report information that could have a negative impact on students, school staff or school property. Reportable actions include, but are not limited to, violence, weapons, threats, theft, property damage, drug abuse, and sexual harassment.

Safe Schools Toolkit

The West Virginia Department of Education offers a variety of resources aimed at supporting the safety and well-being of students. Visit the Safe and Supportive Schools section of the Safe Schools Toolkit website, to review information about mental health services, drug prevention, bullying prevention, suicide prevention, and other important crisis assistance services.

StopBullying.gov

The Stop Bullying website provides information, training and resources about how to prevent, react and respond to bullying.

Disclaimer: While this website is designed to provide online resources and information to students, educators, and military families about a wide variety of programs and services provided by an assortment of entities, the WVDE and Common Ground Partnership are in no way officially or implicitly endorsing any activities of these organizations and are not responsible for the content of their websites.